THE talk last week was all about Wayne Rooney's fantastic goal against Arsenal, but there is no doubt that the goalscorer supreme hails from across the park.

THE talk last week was all about Wayne Rooney's fantastic goal against Arsenal, but there is no doubt that the goalscorer supreme hails from across the park.

Michael Owen has shown in recent days that he is not European Footballer of the Year (above) for nothing.

The early season doubters have been put in their place good style by the England star, who will not be relinquishing his crown of "Top Striker," either on Merseyside or elsewhere, for some time to come.

Two hat-tricks in recent weeks, both away from home, with the most recent coming in the fine fightback against Spartak Moscow, underlined Owen's poaching ability and importance to the team. And the winner against Tottenham showed the character of the player.

He has had a couple of failures from the spot this season, and his overall record of penalties might not be the best, but cometh the hour . . .

Many fans would have been holding their breath as Michael stepped up to take that late spot kick. There was plenty of pressure on him - his misses this season, the need for Liverpool to maintain their excellent run and top spot in the Premiership plus, of course, the fact that there was precious little time left on the clock.

But the Anfield hero once again showed his coolness in the cauldron and the three points were secured.

It hadn't been the prettiest of games. In fact, the first half was so poor the keepers might have caught flu from having so little to do.

Both sides appeared to have too much respect for each other as the game was played mostly in the middle of the field.

The change of Milan Baros replacing El-Hadji Diouf early in the second half appeared to give the Reds that little bit of extra pace and Owen certainly seemed to benefit from the switch.

The goal that warmed the Liverpool fans was another "special" from Danny Murphy. Very few of his goals are simple tap-ins; he seems to conjure up not only the unexpected, but the spectacular.

His latest strike was just that, curling a fine shot from outside the area beyond Kasey Keller, as the visitors' defence failed to close him down.

But the London club were not phased by that sudden setback. With Les Ferdinand sent on they looked dangerous on occasions, with Poyet going close. And then Dean Richards popped up with a fine headed equaliser which prompted one or two scary moments in the home defence as their earlier calm turned to insecurity.

In the end, though, the Reds deserved to edge the result. It was another hard fought game, but they are showing a resolution and team spirit that emphasises their title credentials.

Jamie Redknapp's return "home" was acknowledged by the fans who gave him a standing ovation and cheered him every time he took a corner.

But it was Liverpool's day in the end. Spurs are trying to produce a side that can match the calibre of the Anfield men but, despite it being the third match in a week, the Reds' resilience and character came through.

It had been like a stand-off between two boxers for so long, until punches were exchanged and Owen produced the knockout blow.

Not surprisingly, the talk on Mersey-side had been about young Rooney who, if he continues to produce goals like the one against the Gunners, is certainly going to be a hero for Evertonians.

If he progresses as well as Owen then he, too, will become a great striker. But Owen remains the best around - as he showed yet again on Saturday.

With the Gunners still feeling the shock waves of the previous week at Goodison, losing in midweek and then falling again to a Brad Friedel-inspired Blackburn, some daylight has appeared between Gerard Houllier's men and Arsene Wenger's side.

Arsenal remain the main threat to hopes of Merseyside - the red half, anyway - enjoying a title-winning season. But a run that sees the Reds still unbeaten encourages thoughts that the foundations, at least, have been well and truly laid.